It is not known if the incidents were linked, however the attacks happened at around the same time in Malmö, Gothenburg and Helsinborg. In total around 80 vehicles were destroyed in the fires along with a truck and three caravans.
Footage shows the fires burning through car parks in Frölunda Torg – where there is a specialist hospital and a major shopping centre – and Trollhattan, both near Gothenburg. In the latter blaze as many as 40 people could be seen starting fires and throwing stones in the car park yesterday evening.
Other fires were reported in Hjällbo, north-east of Gothenburg, and around 40 firefighters were called out to deal with the multiple fires. Police said that all the fires had been put out by midnight and they are investigating who was behind the attacks.
Police said: ‘While most fires started within a short period of time, it can not be excluded that there is a connection between the fires, the case will be investigated.’ The reason for the fires is unknown, but some have pointed to the elections which are taking place in three weeks’ time.
